This video from Zonation quite succinctly explains EXACTLY why we see backlash like “Black Barbie is less than White Barbie” in today’s PC society.

I found this article on ABC news last week, and just had to shake my head.

Black Barbie selling for less than White Barbie. It’s a polarizing subject that I am sure the likes of Reverend Jackson could pontificate about for hours. In kind, most American’s could easily step in with valid opinions for varying reasons.

In the article, the experts consulted all suggested that smart retail business was tantamount to the devaluation of black girls. I think it’s a stretch personally, but I believe the opinions contained within the article outline the core of the real problem – that our aim is off. Blaming WalMart, or the dolls features for social “injustice” is just a reopening of old wounds – outlining separation of black and whites – ad nauseum.

For example:

Lisa Wade, an assistant sociology professor at Occidental College in Los Angeles had this to say, “Walmart could have decided “that it’s really important that we as a company don’t send a message that we value blackness less than whiteness,”. She went on to say, “Walmart could have chosen to keep the dolls at equal prices in an effort not to “reproduce whatever ugly inequalities are out there.”

Reproducing ugly inequalities indeed – that’s the core of it. That’s where our sites should be aimed – at stopping this “reproduction” at all costs.

Other key points of view from the Barbie Color controversy noted:

“Black children develop perceptions about their race very early. They are not oblivious to this. There’s still that residue. There’s still the problem, the overcoming years, decades of racial and economic subordination,” Harvard University professor William Julius Wilson

-and-

“The implication of the lowering of the price is that’s devaluing the black doll,” said Thelma Dye, the executive director of the Northside Center for Child Development.

Walmart’s position was back to those nutty capitalistic retailer ideas:

“Pricing like items differently is a part of inventory management in retailing,” WalMart spokesperson Melissa O’Brien said.

Ok, maybe they all have a point, and maybe you agree or don’t. But the pink elephant in the room went without mention, once again.

Residue. Reproduction of ugly inequalities. I don’t believe the actions of a retailer selling black dolls at “sale” prices is harming the socioeconomic fiber of black children in the US – I submit that it’s rather black leaders, schools, and government that do this.

Black leaders spew diatribes at the black community, telling them how they have been and are being oppressed, and being treated unfairly in all social and economic situations. The black community are constantly reminded of their unfortunate history in the US, and not of any strides and outright changes made since the early 60’s. Why are black people always portrayed by their own leaders as an exclusionary group, and not what they are – American citizens – PART OF the whole, not just “apart” from the whole?

Educators use black history month to drive this exclusionary mantra home. I am certainly not saying that history of the Civil Rights movement is not important – I am merely suggesting that we start calling it American History and to stop constantly pointing out the differences – constantly indoctrinating our youth that black people are different – so different that black history be separate from the rest of America’s history. Martin Luther King wanted black and whites sitting together – it wasn’t Mr. King’s idea to constantly have a separateness – his was a message of unification.

Indeed our US Government, as a never-ending apologetic reparations program has instituted programs further carving out a separateness of race, and not a kinship of mankind, such as Affirmative Action. Now before you go crazy – I understand why and how programs such as these, began– but what are they telling us now? It is like we as a nation are saying to the black youths of America that they aren’t able to qualify among the regular workforce, so we’ll give you a leg up. What’s the message here? Blacks aren’t as smart as other races? That blacks can’t compete unless the bets are hedged, that they can’t compete unless the deck’s been stacked in their favor? That giving black people a head start is the only way they can be equal with other nationalities? Even the PC term African-American is once again carving out a separateness of station. As if they must be hyphenated, or qualified in some way – just to make especially careful we redefine the differences over and over. Why not just be American?

If there is any message in the “Baribies” – it’s that it’s time to “sight in” our focus so that we’re aiming at the real problem here, and not continuing on the blame of our misguided past. We don’t need Black History month – we need a refocus on how black people are part of America’s history. Togetherness not separatist. We don’t need a separate section in the bookstore for black writers, or black literature – isn’t this exactly the OPPOSITE of what Dr. King wanted? Isn’t that just more segregation? Why not count the black authors among the white – standing side by side, and shoulder to shoulder – and not given preferential treatment, or segregated treatment, but a togetherness. A kinship. A sense of oneness.

We need to stop outlining our differences and concentrate on what makes us the same – let’s let Barbie be Barbie, and retailers make sense of business – and leave the residue out of it.

This video from Zonation quite succinctly explains EXACTLY why we see backlash like “Black Barbie is less than White Barbie” in today’s PC society.

I found this article on ABC news last week, and just had to shake my head.

Black Barbie selling for less than White Barbie. It’s a polarizing subject that I am sure the likes of Reverend Jackson could pontificate about for hours. In kind, most American’s could easily step in with valid opinions for varying reasons.

In the article, the experts consulted all suggested that smart retail business was tantamount to the devaluation of black girls. I think it’s a stretch personally, but I believe the opinions contained within the article outline the core of the real problem – that our aim is off. Blaming WalMart, or the dolls features for social “injustice” is just a reopening of old wounds – outlining separation of black and whites – ad nauseum.

For example:

Lisa Wade, an assistant sociology professor at Occidental College in Los Angeles had this to say, “Walmart could have decided “that it’s really important that we as a company don’t send a message that we value blackness less than whiteness,”. She went on to say, “Walmart could have chosen to keep the dolls at equal prices in an effort not to “reproduce whatever ugly inequalities are out there.”

Reproducing ugly inequalities indeed – that’s the core of it. That’s where our sites should be aimed – at stopping this “reproduction” at all costs.

Other key points of view from the Barbie Color controversy noted:

“Black children develop perceptions about their race very early. They are not oblivious to this. There’s still that residue. There’s still the problem, the overcoming years, decades of racial and economic subordination,” Harvard University professor William Julius Wilson

-and-

“The implication of the lowering of the price is that’s devaluing the black doll,” said Thelma Dye, the executive director of the Northside Center for Child Development.

Walmart’s position was back to those nutty capitalistic retailer ideas:

“Pricing like items differently is a part of inventory management in retailing,” WalMart spokesperson Melissa O’Brien said.

Ok, maybe they all have a point, and maybe you agree or don’t. But the pink elephant in the room went without mention, once again.

Residue. Reproduction of ugly inequalities. I don’t believe the actions of a retailer selling black dolls at “sale” prices is harming the socioeconomic fiber of black children in the US – I submit that it’s rather black leaders, schools, and government that do this.

Black leaders spew diatribes at the black community, telling them how they have been and are being oppressed, and being treated unfairly in all social and economic situations. The black community are constantly reminded of their unfortunate history in the US, and not of any strides and outright changes made since the early 60’s. Why are black people always portrayed by their own leaders as an exclusionary group, and not what they are – American citizens – PART OF the whole, not just “apart” from the whole?

Educators use black history month to drive this exclusionary mantra home. I am certainly not saying that history of the Civil Rights movement is not important – I am merely suggesting that we start calling it American History and to stop constantly pointing out the differences – constantly indoctrinating our youth that black people are different – so different that black history be separate from the rest of America’s history. Martin Luther King wanted black and whites sitting together – it wasn’t Mr. King’s idea to constantly have a separateness – his was a message of unification.

Indeed our US Government, as a never-ending apologetic reparations program has instituted programs further carving out a separateness of race, and not a kinship of mankind, such as Affirmative Action. Now before you go crazy – I understand why and how programs such as these, began– but what are they telling us now? It is like we as a nation are saying to the black youths of America that they aren’t able to qualify among the regular workforce, so we’ll give you a leg up. What’s the message here? Blacks aren’t as smart as other races? That blacks can’t compete unless the bets are hedged, that they can’t compete unless the deck’s been stacked in their favor? That giving black people a head start is the only way they can be equal with other nationalities? Even the PC term African-American is once again carving out a separateness of station. As if they must be hyphenated, or qualified in some way – just to make especially careful we redefine the differences over and over. Why not just be American?

If there is any message in the “Baribies” – it’s that it’s time to “sight in” our focus so that we’re aiming at the real problem here, and not continuing on the blame of our misguided past. We don’t need Black History month – we need a refocus on how black people are part of America’s history. Togetherness not separatist. We don’t need a separate section in the bookstore for black writers, or black literature – isn’t this exactly the OPPOSITE of what Dr. King wanted? Isn’t that just more segregation? Why not count the black authors among the white – standing side by side, and shoulder to shoulder – and not given preferential treatment, or segregated treatment, but a togetherness. A kinship. A sense of oneness.

We need to stop outlining our differences and concentrate on what makes us the same – let’s let Barbie be Barbie, and retailers make sense of business – and leave the residue out of it.

This video from Zonation quite succinctly explains EXACTLY why we see backlash like “Black Barbie is less than White Barbie” in today’s PC society.

I found this article on ABC news last week, and just had to shake my head.

Black Barbie selling for less than White Barbie. It’s a polarizing subject that I am sure the likes of Reverend Jackson could pontificate about for hours. In kind, most American’s could easily step in with valid opinions for varying reasons.

In the article, the experts consulted all suggested that smart retail business was tantamount to the devaluation of black girls. I think it’s a stretch personally, but I believe the opinions contained within the article outline the core of the real problem – that our aim is off. Blaming WalMart, or the dolls features for social “injustice” is just a reopening of old wounds – outlining separation of black and whites – ad nauseum.

For example:

Lisa Wade, an assistant sociology professor at Occidental College in Los Angeles had this to say, “Walmart could have decided “that it’s really important that we as a company don’t send a message that we value blackness less than whiteness,”. She went on to say, “Walmart could have chosen to keep the dolls at equal prices in an effort not to “reproduce whatever ugly inequalities are out there.”

Reproducing ugly inequalities indeed – that’s the core of it. That’s where our sites should be aimed – at stopping this “reproduction” at all costs.

Other key points of view from the Barbie Color controversy noted:

“Black children develop perceptions about their race very early. They are not oblivious to this. There’s still that residue. There’s still the problem, the overcoming years, decades of racial and economic subordination,” Harvard University professor William Julius Wilson

-and-

“The implication of the lowering of the price is that’s devaluing the black doll,” said Thelma Dye, the executive director of the Northside Center for Child Development.

Walmart’s position was back to those nutty capitalistic retailer ideas:

“Pricing like items differently is a part of inventory management in retailing,” WalMart spokesperson Melissa O’Brien said.

Ok, maybe they all have a point, and maybe you agree or don’t. But the pink elephant in the room went without mention, once again.

Residue. Reproduction of ugly inequalities. I don’t believe the actions of a retailer selling black dolls at “sale” prices is harming the socioeconomic fiber of black children in the US – I submit that it’s rather black leaders, schools, and government that do this.

Black leaders spew diatribes at the black community, telling them how they have been and are being oppressed, and being treated unfairly in all social and economic situations. The black community are constantly reminded of their unfortunate history in the US, and not of any strides and outright changes made since the early 60’s. Why are black people always portrayed by their own leaders as an exclusionary group, and not what they are – American citizens – PART OF the whole, not just “apart” from the whole?

Educators use black history month to drive this exclusionary mantra home. I am certainly not saying that history of the Civil Rights movement is not important – I am merely suggesting that we start calling it American History and to stop constantly pointing out the differences – constantly indoctrinating our youth that black people are different – so different that black history be separate from the rest of America’s history. Martin Luther King wanted black and whites sitting together – it wasn’t Mr. King’s idea to constantly have a separateness – his was a message of unification.

Indeed our US Government, as a never-ending apologetic reparations program has instituted programs further carving out a separateness of race, and not a kinship of mankind, such as Affirmative Action. Now before you go crazy – I understand why and how programs such as these, began– but what are they telling us now? It is like we as a nation are saying to the black youths of America that they aren’t able to qualify among the regular workforce, so we’ll give you a leg up. What’s the message here? Blacks aren’t as smart as other races? That blacks can’t compete unless the bets are hedged, that they can’t compete unless the deck’s been stacked in their favor? That giving black people a head start is the only way they can be equal with other nationalities? Even the PC term African-American is once again carving out a separateness of station. As if they must be hyphenated, or qualified in some way – just to make especially careful we redefine the differences over and over. Why not just be American?

If there is any message in the “Baribies” – it’s that it’s time to “sight in” our focus so that we’re aiming at the real problem here, and not continuing on the blame of our misguided past. We don’t need Black History month – we need a refocus on how black people are part of America’s history. Togetherness not separatist. We don’t need a separate section in the bookstore for black writers, or black literature – isn’t this exactly the OPPOSITE of what Dr. King wanted? Isn’t that just more segregation? Why not count the black authors among the white – standing side by side, and shoulder to shoulder – and not given preferential treatment, or segregated treatment, but a togetherness. A kinship. A sense of oneness.

We need to stop outlining our differences and concentrate on what makes us the same – let’s let Barbie be Barbie, and retailers make sense of business – and leave the residue out of it.

Imagine how damaging a pro-life ad during the Super Bowl might be? People all over the world would be forced to think twice before taking an innocent life-the horror. NYDailyNews.com reports:

Tim Tebow hasn’t even made it to the NFL, but his Super Bowl ad is already creating controversy.

Several women’s groups have argued that the spot, which is believed to be a pro-life ad featuring Tebow and his mother, is an advocacy ad and is inappropriate for Super Sunday.

“An ad that uses sports to divide rather than to unite has no place in the biggest national sports event of the year – an event designed to bring Americans together,” said Jehmu Greene, president of the New York-based Women’s Media Center.

A CBS spokesman said the script for the 30-second ad has been approved and did not feel that any protest would have an impact.

The Tebow advertisement “Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life” is sponsored by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, and is thought to revolve around the story of Pam Tebow.

Pam Tebow will likely recount how she became ill while pregnant with her fifth son during a mission in the Philippines. Ignoring doctors’ suggestions to abort the child, she gave birth to Tim who went on to become the celebrated Florida Gators quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner.

Tim Tebow was asked about the ad while preparing for the upcoming Senior Bowl.

“I know some people won’t agree with it, but I think they can at least respect that I stand up for what I believe,” Tebow said.

Thirty-second Super Bowl spots are selling for $2.5 million to $2.8 million.

Focus on the Family claims that the funding will not come from their general accounts, but instead was donated by a few “very generous friends.”

The Christian group says the furor over the ad is much ado about nothing.

“There’s nothing political and controversial about it,” said Gary Schneeberger, a spokesman for Focus on the Family. “When the day arrives, and you sit down to watch the game on TV, those who oppose it will be quite surprised at what the ad is all about.”

The Women’s Media Center saved much of the ire and protest specifically for the conservative group.

“By offering one of the most coveted advertising spots of the year to an anti-equality, anti-choice, homophobic organization, CBS is aligning itself with a political stance that will damage its reputation, alienate viewers, and discourage consumers from supporting its shows and advertisers,” stated a letter from the women’s group.

Imagine how damaging a pro-life ad during the Super Bowl might be? People all over the world would be forced to think twice before taking an innocent life-the horror. NYDailyNews.com reports:

Tim Tebow hasn’t even made it to the NFL, but his Super Bowl ad is already creating controversy.

Several women’s groups have argued that the spot, which is believed to be a pro-life ad featuring Tebow and his mother, is an advocacy ad and is inappropriate for Super Sunday.

“An ad that uses sports to divide rather than to unite has no place in the biggest national sports event of the year – an event designed to bring Americans together,” said Jehmu Greene, president of the New York-based Women’s Media Center.

A CBS spokesman said the script for the 30-second ad has been approved and did not feel that any protest would have an impact.

The Tebow advertisement “Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life” is sponsored by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, and is thought to revolve around the story of Pam Tebow.

Pam Tebow will likely recount how she became ill while pregnant with her fifth son during a mission in the Philippines. Ignoring doctors’ suggestions to abort the child, she gave birth to Tim who went on to become the celebrated Florida Gators quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner.

Tim Tebow was asked about the ad while preparing for the upcoming Senior Bowl.

“I know some people won’t agree with it, but I think they can at least respect that I stand up for what I believe,” Tebow said.

Thirty-second Super Bowl spots are selling for $2.5 million to $2.8 million.

Focus on the Family claims that the funding will not come from their general accounts, but instead was donated by a few “very generous friends.”

The Christian group says the furor over the ad is much ado about nothing.

“There’s nothing political and controversial about it,” said Gary Schneeberger, a spokesman for Focus on the Family. “When the day arrives, and you sit down to watch the game on TV, those who oppose it will be quite surprised at what the ad is all about.”

The Women’s Media Center saved much of the ire and protest specifically for the conservative group.

“By offering one of the most coveted advertising spots of the year to an anti-equality, anti-choice, homophobic organization, CBS is aligning itself with a political stance that will damage its reputation, alienate viewers, and discourage consumers from supporting its shows and advertisers,” stated a letter from the women’s group.

Imagine how damaging a pro-life ad during the Super Bowl might be? People all over the world would be forced to think twice before taking an innocent life-the horror. NYDailyNews.com reports:

Tim Tebow hasn’t even made it to the NFL, but his Super Bowl ad is already creating controversy.

Several women’s groups have argued that the spot, which is believed to be a pro-life ad featuring Tebow and his mother, is an advocacy ad and is inappropriate for Super Sunday.

“An ad that uses sports to divide rather than to unite has no place in the biggest national sports event of the year – an event designed to bring Americans together,” said Jehmu Greene, president of the New York-based Women’s Media Center.

A CBS spokesman said the script for the 30-second ad has been approved and did not feel that any protest would have an impact.

The Tebow advertisement “Celebrate Family, Celebrate Life” is sponsored by the conservative Christian group Focus on the Family, and is thought to revolve around the story of Pam Tebow.

Pam Tebow will likely recount how she became ill while pregnant with her fifth son during a mission in the Philippines. Ignoring doctors’ suggestions to abort the child, she gave birth to Tim who went on to become the celebrated Florida Gators quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner.

Tim Tebow was asked about the ad while preparing for the upcoming Senior Bowl.

“I know some people won’t agree with it, but I think they can at least respect that I stand up for what I believe,” Tebow said.

Thirty-second Super Bowl spots are selling for $2.5 million to $2.8 million.

Focus on the Family claims that the funding will not come from their general accounts, but instead was donated by a few “very generous friends.”

The Christian group says the furor over the ad is much ado about nothing.

“There’s nothing political and controversial about it,” said Gary Schneeberger, a spokesman for Focus on the Family. “When the day arrives, and you sit down to watch the game on TV, those who oppose it will be quite surprised at what the ad is all about.”

The Women’s Media Center saved much of the ire and protest specifically for the conservative group.

“By offering one of the most coveted advertising spots of the year to an anti-equality, anti-choice, homophobic organization, CBS is aligning itself with a political stance that will damage its reputation, alienate viewers, and discourage consumers from supporting its shows and advertisers,” stated a letter from the women’s group.